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Protesters March in Oakland, Block Freeway

Hundreds of protesters marched through downtown Oakland late Monday after it was announced a Missouri grand jury decided there will be no indictment for a Ferguson cop who fatally shot Michael Brown. Terry McSweeney reports. (Published Monday, Nov. 24, 2014)

About 1,000 people gathered in the downtown area - many participating in a "die-in" where they lay on the ground with sidewalk chalk circling their bodies - in response to the grand jury's decision announced around 6:30 p.m. in the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown by Officer Darren Wilson on Aug. 9 in Ferguson, Missouri.

St. Louis County prosecutor Robert McCulloch made the announcement stating that the jury composed of 12 people determined there was no probable cause to charge Wilson after reviewing hours of witness accounts and law enforcement interviews and examining evidence in the case for the past three months.

One person was arrested for vandalizing a police car and many other arrests were made on the freeway, city officials said.

The protesters started gathering at Frank H. Ogawa Plaza at 14th Street and Broadway earlier in the evening before the announcement chanting, "The whole damn system is guilty as hell. Indict, convict, send the killer cop to jail."

An estimated 400 to 500 people had gathered at the intersection around 6 p.m., city officials said.

Along the way they broke a window at a Chase Bank at 20th and Webster streets.

While chanting "Justice for Michael Brown," protesters were also setting off fireworks, vandalizing, setting garbage cans on fire and spray-painting on buildings during the march.

The crowd entered the freeway at MacArthur Boulevard prompting the California Highway Patrol to issue a Sig-alert at 8:36 p.m. for traffic stopped on eastbound and westbound Highway 580.

Protests Erupt After Ferguson Decision

Hundreds of protesters walked on westbound lanes where CHP officers and vehicles assembled in a line.

About two dozen people were seen climbing over the center divide to eastbound lanes where officers were chasing them down.

CHP officials advised motorists to take state Highway 24 and Interstate Highway 880 to avoid delays.

Around 9 p.m., cars were seen traveling on eastbound lanes and protesters were being cleared on westbound lanes, where traffic was at a halt.

About half an hour later, traffic on eastbound Highway 580 was being diverted to Interstate Highway 980 and state Highway 24 while westbound lanes were closed at Park Boulevard, according to CHP officials.

Shortly before 11 p.m., both directions of Highway 580 were in process of being reopened, CHP officials said.

The intersections of 14th Street at Broadway and Seventh and Jackson streets were briefly blocked off between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., police said.

At about 10:40 p.m., protesters holding signs were seen in the area of 14th Street and Broadway near Frank Ogawa Plaza.

Dogwood, a bar located at 1664 Telegraph Ave. and about two blocks away from the plaza, was boarded up in preparation for protesters who may damage the business.

In a statement Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, said, "My heart continues to go out to Michael Brown's family and community. I am beyond disappointed in today's verdict. Like everyone in our community, I am devastated by the senseless murder of yet another black man."

"I urge protestors to be peaceful and for the police to respect people exercising their First Amendment rights," Lee said.